NORRISTOWN – A Norristown man has been sentenced to state prison for his role in a multi-county cocaine trafficking ring operated by a Montgomery Township man and his brother.

Michael Ange Piccarreta, 33, of the 200 block of Buttonwood Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to four-to-12-years in a state correctional facility on multiple charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and conspiracy to deliver cocaine in connection with the illegal drug ring that targeted Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia counties between November 2008 and April 2011.

Judge William R. Carpenter imposed the punishment immediately after convicting Piccarreta of the charges during a one-day, non-jury trial at which the evidence was stipulated to by Assistant District Attorney Jason Whalley and defense lawyer Craig Kellerman. Piccarreta must begin serving the sentence on Aug. 16, court papers indicate.

The judge said Piccarreta is eligible for the state’s Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive program, which allows eligible non-violent offenders to receive reductions of their minimum state prison sentences if they successfully complete all required treatment and maintain good-conduct records in prison. Prisoners can be released upon completing the program only if officials are satisfied that the offenders pose no risks to public safety.

If Piccarreta successfully completes the program, he could reduce his minimum prison stay to 40 months, according to court papers.

With the charges, county authorities alleged Piccarreta was associated with the corrupt organization operated by Anthony Dennis Sr., 41, of the 100 block of Thames Drive, Montgomery Township, who at the time of his arrest operated the “Heads Up” barbershop in the Wayne area of Chester County. Piccarreta was a customer of those involved in the drug organization, authorities alleged.

Dennis pleaded guilty to drug-related charges in January, including corrupt organizations, and remains free on 10 percent of $1 million bail pending sentencing.

Dennis’ brother, Michael, 36, of Earl Street, Philadelphia, previously was convicted by a jury of conspiring with Anthony to operate the cocaine trafficking ring and was sentenced to a total of 18-to-36 years in state prison.

With the charges, authorities alleged the Dennis brothers engaged in the sale of large quantities of cocaine to various individuals including cocaine dealers in Montgomery County.

Anthony Dennis operated the “Heads Up” barbershop in the 900 block of Upper Gulph Road near Wayne, Chester County, during the time he also operated the corrupt organization, authorities alleged.

The Dennis brothers and Piccarreta were among 27 people arrested in 2011 as part of an investigation dubbed “Operation Heads Up,” in connection with their involvement in the corrupt organization.

During the investigation of the Dennis brothers, simultaneous raids by 72 law enforcement officers at 21 locations in the three counties on May 18, 2011, resulted in the seizure of four pounds of cocaine with a street value of $204,800, 14 vehicles, a 19-foot-long fishing boat from a storage facility in Collegeville, more than $76,000 in cash and 12 firearms, according to authorities.

While serving one warrant at Piccarreta’s home detectives were attacked at the front door by a large Pit Bull dog which was unrestrained, court documents indicate. Authorities said detectives were forced to shoot the dog to prevent injury to themselves and neighbors around the residence.

The investigation began in November 2008 in Tredyffrin as township police and members of the Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force investigated the barbershop as an alleged hub of the cocaine trafficking operation.

The arrests were the culmination of a wiretap investigation into the activities of those involved in the drug ring.